Which Countries Hire English Teachers in January?

Last reviewed: 10 November 2026

Several big TEFL markets hire for a January to March start: South Korea, whose school year begins in March; Japan, which starts in April; Taiwan, China and Vietnam around Lunar New Year; and Latin America’s southern hemisphere schools. European academies also replace teachers who leave at Christmas. Qualify in November and you can apply in December.

Key takeaways

• September is the biggest hiring season, but it is not the only one. Several countries hire heavily for January to April starts.
• South Korea’s school year begins in March, so Korean schools and academies recruit through the winter.
• Japan’s school year begins in April, so private schools and dispatch companies hire in January and February.
• Lunar New Year falls on 6 February 2027, and hiring in Vietnam, Taiwan and China often picks up around it.
• In Europe, academies hire in January to replace teachers who leave at Christmas, and Irish citizens need no visa.
• To be ready for January, get qualified in November, sort your documents in December and apply from early January.

Why is January a good time to look for TEFL jobs?

January is a good time to look for TEFL jobs because many countries do not follow the Irish school calendar. South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and much of the southern hemisphere start their school or academic year between February and April, so their schools recruit over the winter. On top of that, every academy loses a few teachers at Christmas and needs to replace them quickly.

For Irish applicants, the timing can work well. You can finish a course before Christmas, use the holidays to get your documents in order, and start applying while the September crowd is still in post. It also means you could be teaching abroad by spring rather than waiting until next autumn.

The trade off is speed. Winter hiring often moves fast, with interviews in January and start dates a few weeks later. Being qualified and organised before the new year is what turns a January opportunity into a job offer.

Which countries hire English teachers for a January to March start?

The countries that hire most for a January to March start are South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam and Cambodia in Asia, plus Spain, Italy and other European markets for mid-year replacements, and the southern hemisphere countries of Latin America. The table summarises when each market tends to recruit.

Why does South Korea hire in winter?

South Korea hires in winter because its school year starts in March. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education describes a first semester running from March to the end of August, and a second from September to February. Private academies, the hagwons, recruit teachers through December and January so they are in place for the new school year.

A degree is required for the E-2 teaching visa, and paperwork such as an apostilled degree and a criminal record check takes time, so start early. Our comparison of EPIK and hagwons explains how public school and private academy jobs differ.

Why do Japan, Taiwan and China hire early in the year?

Japan, Taiwan and China hire early in the year because their academic calendars restart in spring. Japan’s school year begins in April, so private English schools and dispatch companies that place teachers in public schools recruit heavily in January and February. Our guide to teaching English in Japan as an Irish graduate explains those routes. The JET Programme runs on a different timeline, with summer departures.

In Taiwan and China, spring semesters start after Lunar New Year, which falls on 6 February 2027. Schools and cram schools tend to fill gaps in December and January. Visa and work permit processes in both places can take several weeks, so a January application often means a February or March start.

What about Vietnam and Cambodia?

Vietnam and Cambodia hire year round, but Vietnam has a clear rhythm around Tet, the Lunar New Year. In 2027, Vietnam’s public sector holiday runs from 4 to 10 February, as VietnamPlus reports. Many teachers leave before Tet and language centres hire replacements to start straight afterwards, so January applications for a February start are common.

Vietnam’s degree and work permit rules have changed recently, so check the current requirements before you apply. Cambodia is one of the more flexible markets in the region, and its schools recruit throughout the year.

Gary planned to travel for two months. Ten years later, Vietnam is home, which shows how far one new year decision can go.

Is there TEFL work in Europe and Latin America in January?

Yes. In Europe, January hiring is smaller than September but real: academies in Spain, Italy and elsewhere replace teachers who leave at Christmas, and some open new classes for the spring term. Irish citizens can live and work anywhere in the EU without a visa, which makes a fast start possible.

In Latin America, southern hemisphere countries such as Chile, Argentina and Brazil start their school year in February or March, so language institutes and bilingual schools recruit over the summer months there, our winter. Many teachers find jobs locally once they arrive. Our guide to teaching English in Latin America covers the main cities and routes.

Online teaching runs all year and is a good bridge while you apply abroad. It lets you build experience and income from home in January.

How do you get ready for a January start?

To be ready for a January start, get qualified in November, sort your documents in December and start applying from the first week of January. Most winter hiring moves quickly, and schools favour candidates who can say yes and give a start date.

November: get qualified. Most employers ask for at least a 120 hour TEFL certificate, and some prefer a Level 5 qualification. Starting a course now gives you the December holidays to finish it. Our comparison of 120 hour and Level 5 TEFL shows which employers ask for which.

December: get your documents ready. Many Asian countries need an apostilled degree and a police certificate, which can take weeks. Our Hire Wire issue on the Garda certificate Irish teachers actually need explains which document to request. Update your CV and record a short introduction video for online platforms.

January: apply and interview. Apply early in the month, keep your calendar flexible for video interviews across time zones, and be ready to give a realistic start date.

Which qualification do you need for January jobs?

For most January jobs, a 120 hour TEFL certificate meets the minimum requirement, and a Level 5 TEFL diploma makes your application stronger, especially in competitive markets. Many Asian countries also require a degree for the work visa, regardless of your TEFL qualification.

If you are aiming for children’s classes in Korea, Japan or Vietnam, a young learners specialism helps. If you are heading to Europe, where many academies teach adults and exam classes, Level 5 is a strong advantage. Our country guides set out the requirements destination by destination.

Ready to start teaching in the new year?

A January start is closer than it looks. Our accredited 120 hour TEFL course and Level 5 TEFL diploma are both studied online, so you can qualify around work and Christmas and be ready to apply in January.

See the frequently asked questions section on this page.